Carles Puyol

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Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol Joan Gamper-Tr.jpg
Puyol in action for Barcelona
Personal information
Full name Carles Puyol i Saforcada
Date of birth 13 April 1978 (1978-04-13) (age 33)
Place of birth La Pobla de Segur, Spain
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current club Barcelona
Number 5
Youth career
1993–1995 Pobla de Segur
1995–1996 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1996–1997 Barcelona C
1997–2000 Barcelona B 89 (6)
1999– Barcelona 358 (8)
National team‡
1995 Spain U18 3 (0)
2000 Spain U21 4 (0)
2000 Spain U23 5 (0)
2000– Spain 98 (3)
2001– Catalonia 5 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 January 2012.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16 November 2011
This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Puyol and the second or maternal family name is Saforcada.

Carles Puyol i Saforcada (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈkarɫəs puˈjɔɫ]; born 13 April 1978) is a Spanish footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Mainly a central defender, he can also play on either flank, especially as a right back.[1]

He served as a longtime team captain for his only club FC Barcelona after taking over from Luis Enrique in August 2004, going on to appear in more than 500 official games for the team and win 18 major titles, notably five La Liga and three UEFA Champions League championships.

A Spanish international on more than 100 occasions, Puyol was part of the squads that won the Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup tournaments.

Contents

Club career

Puyol training with Barcelona

Born in La Pobla de Segur, Lleida, Catalonia, Puyol started playing football for his hometown club, as a goalkeeper. However, after injury problems with his shoulder, he switched to striker. He said that in his youth, "My parents were skeptical about me becoming a footballer and encouraged me to study."[2] In 1995, he joined FC Barcelona's youth system at La Masia, switching positions again, to play as a defensive midfielder; two years later, he started playing for the club's B-team, occupying the position of right back.

In 1999, then-coach Louis van Gaal promoted Puyol to the first team. He made his La Liga debut on 2 October at Real Valladolid, in a 2–0 win. After that, he successfully made another conversion, now to central defender. During the 2003 off-season, as Barcelona was immersed in a financial crisis, Manchester United showed interest in acquiring Puyol's services,[3] but no move ever materialized; two years later, the player extended his contract for a further five seasons.[4]

Puyol was named club captain at the end of the 2003–04 season, after the retirement of Luis Enrique. He continued to be a defensive cornerstone for Barça, being awarded the "Best European right back" award by UEFA in 2002 (amongst other individual accolades), and helping the Catalans win two consecutive league titles. In 2005–06, he appeared in a total of 52 official games, including 12 in the season's UEFA Champions League, which ended in conquest against Arsenal, the club's second.

Puyol in a match against Getafe

On 16 September 2008, Puyol made his 400th appearance in all competitions for Barcelona's first team in a Champions League match against Sporting Clube de Portugal.[5] In the league season, he dealt with injury problems, but still contributed to the team by appearing in 28 matches and helped to win another league title, his only goal coming in El Clásico at Real Madrid on 2 May 2009, which finished with a resounding 6–2 away win;[6] from 2008–10 combined, other than the two league titles, he was essential in conquering the 2009 UEFA Super Cup, the 2009 Champions League and the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup, appearing in nearly 100 official matches, and describing the club as "the team who every Catalan child wants to play for... I am living the dream playing football for Barça and it is my dream to retire playing here."[2]

Puyol struggled again with injury in the 2010–11 season,[7][8][9] but still appeared in 28 official games for Barcelona, which again won the league and the Champions League. He played five minutes in the final of the latter competition, a 3–1 win against Manchester United.

International career

"Puyol is the key, not just because he is one of the best defenders in the world but because of his character. He never lets up."

 —Xavi[10]

Puyol won his first cap for Spain on 15 November 2000 against the Netherlands, and remained a regular fixture in the following years. He played for the nation at the 2000 Olympics, 2002 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2004, 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008, 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup.

At Euro 2008, Puyol started throughout the vast majority of the competition, as the defensive backline only conceded two goals in five games, with an eventual final win against Germany. He was named in the Team of the Tournament alongside defensive partner Carlos Marchena, of Valencia CF. He started in three out of five at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, and captained the team when Iker Casillas was rested for the last group stage match; as Spain finished third, he and four other teammates were named in the Team of the Tournament.

At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Puyol started every match and played almost every minute (he was substituted by Marchena in the 84th minute of the quarter-final against Paraguay[11]). He scored the only goal in the semifinal against Germany with a powerful header from a corner taken by Barcelona teammate Xavi, sending the national team through to their first World Cup final,[12] and scoring his third international goal in 89 matches; in the final, he played the full 120 minutes, as Spain defeated the Netherlands 1–0.

On 1 August 2010, 32-year Puyol announced that he would continue to play for the national team for at least another two years.[13]

Puyol playing for Catalonia in a friendly match against Argentina at Camp Nou.

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 17 April 2002 Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland  Northern Ireland 4–0 5–0 Friendly
2. 11 October 2008 A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia  Estonia 0–3 0–3 2010 World Cup qualification
3. 7 July 2010 Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa  Germany 1–0 1–0 2010 FIFA World Cup

Playing style

Puyol is known for his intense commitment and ruggedness as a defender. According to Barcelona's head doctor, Puyol is "the strongest, who has the quickest reactions, and who has the most explosive strength."[14] Club fans refer to him as "The Wall".[15] Miguel Ángel Nadal, who played with him for a short period of time, said, "Carles plays with maturity, has great positional sense, and above all, has pride in his shirt."[14]

Puyol is also known for his leadership and work ethic. He often continues training alone after the end of a team practice session or on days off.[10] He said in 2010, "I don't have Romário's technique, [Marc] Overmars' pace or [Patrick] Kluivert's strength. But I work harder than the others. I'm like the student who is not as clever, but revises for his exams and does OK in the end."[14] He is often described as the heart of the Barcelona team.

Fellow defender Gerard Piqué said: "He's someone who, even if you're winning 3–0 and there's a few seconds left in the game will shout at the top of his voice at you if he thinks your concentration is going."[16] A former team-mate said, "Even four goals down he thinks we can still win",[10] and another described him as "a pain in the arse" but added "that's exactly what we need".[10]

Puyol in 2010

Statistics

Club

As of 30 January 2011[17][18]
Club Season League Cup Europe Other [19] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona B 1996–97 1 1 – 1 1
1997–98 42 3 – 42 3
1998–99 38 2 – 38 2
1999–00 8 0 – 8 0
Total 89 6 – 89 6
Barcelona 1999–00 24 0 5 0 8 0 0 0 37 0
2000–01 17 0 2 0 5 0 – 24 0
2001–02 35 2 1 0 15 0 – 51 2
2002–03 32 0 0 0 14 0 – 46 0
2003–04 27 0 4 0 7 0 – 38 0
2004–05 36 0 1 0 8 0 – 45 0
2005–06 35 1 3 0 12 0 2 0 52 1
2006–07 35 1 7 0 8 1 5 0 55 2
2007–08 30 0 7 0 10 1 – 47 1
2008–09 28 1 6 0 11 0 – 45 1
2009–10 32 1 2 0 9 0 5 0 48 1
2010–11 17 1 2 0 8 0 0 0 27 1
2011–12 10 1 5 1 4 0 2 0 21 2
Total 358 8 45 1 119 2 14 0 536 11
Career totals 447 14 45 1 119 2 14 0 625 17

International

Spain national team
Year Apps Goals
2000 1 0
2001 4 0
2002 10 1
2003 8 0
2004 10 0
2005 10 0
2006 10 0
2007 5 0
2008 14 1
2009 8 0
2010 11 1
2011 4 0
Total 98 3

Honours

Barcelona

Spain

Individual

Decorations

Personal life

In 2006, Puyol said that when not working, he leads "a very quiet life... I've not been to a nightclub in Barcelona for years either. When I go out, I stay in a restaurant with my friends."[2] He practices yoga and Pilates, and according to a friend, Thubten Wangchen, is highly interested in Tibetan Buddhism and culture. Puyol met the Dalai Lama in 2007. Puyol's father, Josep, died in a farming accident in late 2006 while Carles was on his way to play a match against Deportivo de La Coruña. He was informed of the news by coach Frank Rijkaard upon landing.[22] He said that this, combined with an injury led to a dark period, with Spanish national team physio Raúl Martínez eventually coming to Barcelona: in the player's words, he "...gave me a great telling off. He made me react, and I began to try to be more cheerful, and not overwhelmed by it all." [23]

Puyol's long shaggy hair has been a distinctive feature throughout his career. Barcelona manager van Gaal, suggested he get it cut when the player was 19, immediately after his first training session with the senior players: "What's your problem, can't you afford the money for a haircut?", Van Gaal asked him in his office. "I said nothing," Puyol remembered, "and to this day have kept my hair as is. [14][24] He likes to warm up for games listening to ABBA.[25]

In March 2009, Puyol told Goal.com: "I do not like to go out much, although it is good to disconnect and I like to read."[26] In September of the following year, he started a relationship with model Malena Costa. On 16 October, he scored through a header in a 2–1 home win against Valencia CF, and dedicated her the goal by making a heart symbol with both hands. “I dedicate the goal to my girlfriend”, he said after the game.[27]

See also

References

  1. ^ Players to watch – Carles Puyol; BBC Sport, 25 May 2004
  2. ^ a b c Puyol's love of labour not lost on fans; The Independent, 14 May 2006
  3. ^ Man Utd move for Puyol; BBC Sport, 10 August 2003
  4. ^ Barca skipper Puyol pens new deal; BBC Sport, 22 September 2005
  5. ^ The captain makes it to 400 games; FC Barcelona official website, 16 September 2008
  6. ^ Barcelona run riot at Real Madrid and put Chelsea on notice; The Guardian, 2 May 2009
  7. ^ Puyol injury shock; FC Barcelona official website, 1 September 2010
  8. ^ Barcelona lose Puyol to groin injury; ESPN Soccernet, 30 December 2010
  9. ^ Knee surgery for Barca captain Puyol; ESPN Soccernet, 31 May 2011
  10. ^ a b c d Puyol returns to give Barcelona lift and leadership; The Guardian, 29 April 2008
  11. ^ Villa saves Spain after penalty drama; ESPNsoccernet, 3 July 2010
  12. ^ Puyol heads Spain into final Villa saves Spain after penalty drama; ESPN Soccernet, 7 July 2010
  13. ^ Puyol to keep playing for Spain; The New York Times, 2 August 2010
  14. ^ a b c d Puyol anchors Spanish defense with combination of hard work, grit; Sports Illustrated, 9 July 2010
  15. ^ Puyol, a star on defense, wins it with offense; The New York Times, 8 July 2010
  16. ^ Defending the caveman; Times Live, 11 July 2010
  17. ^ Official site statistics
  18. ^ Transfermarkt player statistics
  19. ^ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
  20. ^ "Spain dominate Team of the Tournament". UEFA.com. 30 June 2008. http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind=1/newsid=729372.html#spain+dominate+team+tournament. Retrieved 30 June 2008. 
  21. ^ "Royal Order of Sporting Merit 2011". http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20111005/futbol/seleccion-espanola/las-campeones-del-mundo-de-futbol-ya-tienen-la-real-orden-del-merito-deportivo_54226408413.html. 
  22. ^ Puyol es baja tras la muerte de su padre en un accidente (Puyol does not play after his father died in accident); El País, 4 November 2006 (Spanish)
  23. ^ 500 más y lo deja (500 more and he's through); El País, 15 November 2010 (Spanish)
  24. ^ 2010 FIFA World Cup profile; FIFA.com
  25. ^ "Manchester United v Barcelona: Live". Telegraph Media Group Ltd.. 27 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/5388244/Manchester-United-v-Barcelona-Live-Champions-League-final-2009.html. Retrieved 16 August 2010. 
  26. ^ Carles Puyol on life, leadership and trophies at Barcelona; Goal.com, 15 March 2009
  27. ^ Picture of the day: Celebrations

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Carles Puyol
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Luis Enrique		 FC Barcelona captain
2004–Present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
FC Barcelona – current squad
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